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Sandra says:"My new favourite author"

Publisher's Summary

Rosanna Menici is just a girl when she meets Roberto Rossini, the man who will change her life. In the years to come, their destinies are bound together by their extraordinary talents as opera singers and by their enduring but obsessive love for each other - a love that will ultimately affect the lives of those closest to them. For, as Rosanna slowly discovers, their unison is haunted by irreversible events from the past.

I loved this story. At the end my tears spilled and I was so grateful to have spent time with the characters. Moving and reflective. To top it off the narrator was exceptional.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Juana Maria

Los Angeles, CA USA

9/03/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Demeaning."

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who believes that one must sacrifice love and marriage to be an excellent, loving and devoted mother. Someone who doesn't care that very smart men and women make truly idiotic and incomprehensible choices. Someone who isn't offended by a story which demeans humans by believing they make choices as foolish and negative as the choices made by these characters.

Would you ever listen to anything by Lucinda Riley again?

Yes. I've truly enjoyed "The Lavener Garden", "The Midnight Rose" and "The Orchid House". These works by Ms. Riley were outstanding and inspiring and excellent.

What three words best describe Eva Alexander’s performance?

Good.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger and Disappointment.

Any additional comments?

Ms. Riley's decision to have Rossana choose loneliness rather than the strength to make the relationship work, was so demeaning of a woman's ability to adapt and change priorities as needed and as necessary. Too degrade her choice to accompany her husband when it could have been that Nico had no more than a slight cold, was mean and wrong to the complexity of human relationships. Sometimes women/men need to choose their spouse and sometimes their children and sometimes the consequences are not anyone's "fault". Also hated Lucas decision not to return to England to look for Abbie after he made the choice to leave the church because she had not responded to his post cards? What was that??? Difficult to admire Abbie's patience. Also, Abbie's decision to hide the birth of her child from her best friend and the child's Aunt? So many stupid choices and decisions. And also, Roberto's failure to reveal his parentage to his child and to ask her to keep the truth from Rossana in order to avoid hurting her? This could have happened and would have made sense and would have given Ella the opportunity to know and love her father, in that capacity, before his death. I would never recommend this book. Really made me angry.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Hilde-Gunn

AULI, Norway

23/10/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"I hate faux, phoney accents!"

What would have made The Italian Girl better?

An actual interesting storyline, interesting characters, and a narrator who woesn't do a faux Italian accent. It sounds fake, and it is annoying to listen to.

What was most disappointing about Lucinda Riley’s story?

That there were no interesting characters or storyline whatsoever. I have enjoyed her other books, and were looking forward to reading this, but this doesn't come even halfway close to her other books.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She had a horrible fake Italian accent whenever one of the characters in the book said something. I don't even know why narrators do this. Everyone can hear that they don't know the language they are trying to fake, and we know that the characters are from Italy. Wouldn't they speak Italin to each other then? Why the need for bad accents?

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No, I'm sorry but it didn't!

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

forever listening

Central PA

3/03/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Passionate"

A beautifully woven story of love & passion in relationships as well as vocations. I listen to 2-4 books a week, so at least 100 a year. I only have one more Lucinda Riley book to read & will then have read or listened to all she's written to date. I've enjoyed them all. She has insight into relationships that give depth and authenticity to sometimes complex characterizations. Roberto is the one you love to hate, but he's just sympathetic enough to understand Rosanna's love for him. I think my favorite character was Luca though...loving & selfless was so happy for his HEA.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Alan Burgess

14/02/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great read"

Beautifully written, the author keeps you so engrossed in the story. Great read. I highly recommend this book, thoroughly enjoyed it.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Ruth M. Penson

Los Angeles, CA United States

22/10/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"another enjoyable 'chick-lit'"

I enjoyed this story. I could not stand the narrator when she used her "faux" accents. At times she would also speed up her reading for no apparent reason. Had she just read in her normal voice instead of "trying" to use phony accents & deeper voices, the whole listen would have been far more enjoyable, but....instead it was really annoying and spoiled much of the listening experience.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

isabelle

12/11/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"What next?"

Absolutely wonderful book once again from mrs Riley!Writing is the form of art I admire the most , as it requires an imagination beyond average... and authors like her have my upmost respect.My desperation comes from the act that I have just listened to all her books on audible and don't know what to read next... the narrator was also wonderful...

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

J. Consentino

Atlanta, GA USA

11/10/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"What a great read!"

Where does The Italian Girl rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is by far the best Lucinda Riley book I have listened to - you will not be disappointed.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Debra Elmore

Silver Spring, MD USA

15/09/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"The only this missing was a soundtrack!"

Beautiful, and it made me want to listen to some opera, especially La Boheme. The writing was so rich, I kept expecting the characters to break into song!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Motherlawyrwmn

Memphis, TN

4/04/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"lousy narrator"

the store was great and I enjoyed it however the narrator accents were so bad that they were distracting and really lowered the pleasure of listening to this book

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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Apts48

UK

9/08/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Good book ruined by terrible accents in Narration"

Would you try another book written by Lucinda Riley or narrated by Eva Alexander?

This is a fun book, interesting story and well narrated when the narrator speak in her normal voice. However when she does these awful Italian accents one is so distracted that you lose touch with the story. I do not understand why this is necessary. When one reads all the wonderful swedish novels the narrators use their normal voices and no one tries to do fake Swedish accents. This should be the same!

My advice buy the book or kindle version and skip the audio version. A shame because the narrator is fine for English!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Julie

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

14/01/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Stop with the forced accents, Audible"

What disappointed you about The Italian Girl?

This story is set in Italy, written in the first person and read completely unnecessarily in a forced Italian accent. We do not need our books 'acted out' or interpreted or coloured in by the reader, Audible! And we especially do not need them acted/interpreted/coloured using an accent unnatural to the reader. We just need them to be read well in a way that allows us to connect with the author and her/his story. I couldn't bare to listen to enough of this to get any sense of the story at all and have returned it.

Would you ever listen to anything by Lucinda Riley again?

Yes, provided it is read by a different reader.

How could the performance have been better?

No forced 'italian' accent, no over-emoting, just read in a way that does not get in the way of the story and the author.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Mrs

Sidmouth, United Kingdom

27/09/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Good plot bad performance"

Would you try another book written by Lucinda Riley or narrated by Eva Alexander?

not one narrated by Eva Alexander

What did you like best about this story?

Didn't finish it because of the narration

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Eva Alexander?

not sure

Was The Italian Girl worth the listening time?

no

Any additional comments?

I love most of Lucinda Riley's books but the narrator's appalling attempt at character variation, especially the poor Italian accent made this book a miserable experience

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

L

Folkestone, United Kingdom

19/08/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Another wonderful listen"

As always, I was sorry when this book came to an end. I have only been reading fiction for around 18 months and Lucinda Riley is by far my favourite author to-date.. Her stories are so compelling; the listener is drawn into the lives of the characters very quickly - the way the author weaves around the different time zones is brilliant - it's as if you step into the story right away - I noted the original story here was written under the author's earlier pen name and updated ...........please, please Lucinda hurry up and update your earlier books; I am now bereft as I am at the point where I have listened to all your books currently available via audio! Cannot wait to see another appear in the list. I highly recommend this author. I mustn't forget the narrator here - Eva Alexander - who was brilliant and made it all come alive.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

boosmummy

Yorkshire, UK

18/08/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"A compelling story"

Where does The Italian Girl rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is definitely one of the best of this genre I've heard, totally compelling and I hated turning it off.

Any additional comments?

I loved this story, the narrator drew me in with her voice and I found myself listening to it long after I meant to turn off to do something else. The characters were well written and I felt empathy for the main character Rosanna although I did get annoyed with her at times which shows how much I got into the story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Mrs. K. I. Richards

12/06/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"enjoyable story."

Any additional comments?

rosanna met Roberto when she was eleven years old and knew at that moment she loved him and would one day marry him. he knew she had the makings of a great opera star.the main story is of course centred around rosanna and Roberto but it is the story of luca's, rosanna's brother, life which runs alongside which was the one that brought tears to my eyes at the end.well written by Lucinda riley and performed by eva alexander who brought the story to life.4.1/2 stars.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Agnieszka Bania

3/05/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"A beautiful enchanting story"

If you could sum up The Italian Girl in three words, what would they be?

Beautiful, unique, heart-breaking

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rosana - main character - an interesting heroine - brave but fragile

What about Eva Alexander’s performance did you like?

It was the most beautifully read book! I have no idea why there are so many bad reviews about the narrator that almost put me off listening to this book - by far by favourite - her voice was perfectly matched to the main character and she made this book so much more special

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The love affair that will break your heart

Any additional comments?

It's a beautiful, unique story that takes you on an adventure - full of surprises, bitter-sweet moments and will leave you wanting to get lost in its world for as long as possible

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Philippa Purcell

26/03/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Fabulous"

A gripping story that you don't want to finish. Rounded characters that you feel real sympathy with. Can't wait to read another of her books

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Polly

Worcestershire

30/06/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Just loved this book, brilliantly narrated"

My favourite of the 4 Lucinda Riley books I have read so far. Set in the opera world in Italy and the Cotswolds. The book was beautifully narrated by Eva Alexander, bringing the characters to life.I didn't want it to end, feel like I have lost some friends!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

jacqui

Great Britain

6/03/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Interesting and entertaining"

There are some interesting twists and turns an I enjoyed the book to the end. Worth the effort in my opinion.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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